Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-01-25
WARTALK IN THE SENATE
FISHERY FRIClION OMINOUS
TO PEACE WITH ENGLAND.

Looked Upon by Several of the Sena-
tors as Almost Equivalent to Decla-
ration of War-Spirited Passages in
the Debate.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.--At :05 o'clock
to-day the Senate. on motion of MIR. Ed
munds, proceeded TO consideration OF
the Senate bill TO authorize the United
States to protect and defend the rights Of
American fishing vessels, American fish,
ermen, American trading and other yes.
sells in certain cases.
Mr. Frye suggested to Mr.. Edwunds
that the words "also if he think proper"
should be omitted before the words au-
thorzing the President to deny the entry
Of fish from Canada, because that Ian
guage seemed to suggest that this prohI-
oition would be the last resort OF the
President, W bile in his Mr.. Frye's) judg-
ment, 1t would be the first resort, and
probably the only one under the present
circumstances. MIR. Edmunds consented
20 having the words struck out, and they
we're struck out.
Mr, Ingalls, thought that these fishery
difficulties must ultimately be settled
either by negotiation or by war. THIS
measure was distinctly one of retaliation.
1t was an eye for an eye, tooth for a
tooth, fish for fish, an insult tor an in
sult, wrong for wrong.
PACIFIC OR HOSTILE?
He thought it important before the Sem
ate was called upon to vote, that the
Committee on Foreign Relations should
advise the Senate whether this measure
was intended TO be pacific or hostile,
whether it was in effect
an invitation to negotiate or
practically declaration Of war. There
was no use in Disgusting the proposition
There was feeling Of irritation the real
party in interest being Great Brltian and
not Can8da) which was, at any moment,
4 the present attitude was continued,
liable to lead TO discomfort which might
ripen into eXasperation and this into open
hostility. Ii was therefore OF very great
Importance that at the threshold, the out
set, in the vestibule the Senate should
understand whether the bill was intended
as Pacific or as hostile measure.
INUNDATED WITH BLOOD.
He quoted some sentences from the re-
port of the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions, and remarked that countries had
been inundated with blood on less pr0Yo-
cation. The conduct of the Dominion and
of Great Britain, according to this report,
was W duQ a
declaration of war on the par captain
United States. 1t was a violation not
only OF treaty rights guaranteed by re-
peated conventions, but 1t showed q pur-
4 pose on the part OF the government of
Canada and ner maJesIy's government to
harass and annoy and destroy American
hshing interests simply for the purpose
either If private gain or Of some public
advantage. 1t appeared to him that, in
" eV n a ~ hn f,r
\ rItatIon and discomfort known to exist
4 between the two countries, the reporting g
II Of a measure which authorized the Presi-
Y dent to enter simply on process of re-
& taliation was hardly consistent with the
q gravity OF the situation.
II FULL OF DANGER.
Il 1t was dangerous course to authorize
S the President 10 continue in the same line
& of conduct and policy with the inevitable
result OF either finally negotiating for the
purpose of settling these questions, or
else going to war in defense OF the rights
under the treaty of 1918. He thought IL
& would be better, more in accordance with
the dignity OF the subject, and with The
morality which ought to prevail among
men, to declare as the conviction of the
Senate that the relations between the
two powers are sUch as to require Mego-
tiations, and that there should be an au-
thority not 10 issue letters OF marQue and
reprisal. but to select commission 10
consider the subject, and if possible to
reach some basis OF an unders tanding be-
tween Great Britain, Canada and the
n United States in regard to the fisheries.
FRYE MEANS FIGHT.
MIR. Frye made a very impasone d
speech charging the Canadian authori-
ties with Outrsges and inhumauities III at
would have dsgraced Fiji islanders,
and declaring that the purpose Of the pro-
posed legislation was to notify the gov.
ernment OF Great Britain that a continu-
ance of such a course must be at her peril.
He lntimated very plainly that the pro-
posed legislation was desired by the PresI-
dent and members OF his Cabinet.
Mr.. Ingalls, accepted Mr.. Frye's inter-
pre- alton of the pill as the correct on e.
1t meant war, although MIR. Edmunds de.
MED that it necessarily did 80 mean. Ii g
Expressed his pleasure at hearing Mr..
Frye'5 Interpretation of the bill that it
4 was declaration to Great Britain recog-
uizing her agency in the matter and mott.
Tying her that she will continue In 1t at
her peril.
Mr.. Hoar declared it to be his opinion
that the proceedings of the Canadian
authorities in this matter were under
taken tor the purpose OF interfering with
hmatter which is purely of our own
domestic concern.
CANADA's OBJECT.
1t was not that Canada might catch fl h
without molestation, it was that she
might sell fish without the interference ot
the American tariff policy. He regard g d
this attempt by foreign power to enforc e
upon us against our will certai n
domestic policy as one OF the most
Emphatic and tiagrant acts OF hos
tility that could be committed
short of actual war. He did not under
stand, however, with the Senator from
Kansas that the object OF this measu re
was 20 bring about either war or further
diplomacy. 1t was merely saying to the
British government and Dominion OF
Canada that so long rs they attempted to
Interfere with our domestic arrangement 8
in this way 80 long they should not be
permitted 10 sell their fish or other pro-
ducts IN American markets at all.
MR.. MORGAN OPPOSED TO THREATS.
Mr.. Morgan asked way this law Affect
f1R American commerce could not be-
passed without making any threat. 1t
was not becoming, nor was it necessary
10 make threats. WheU the resolutions Of
the American Congress We're reached
Congress would be strong enough in It's
Expression OF them to convey to the world
at large that Congress meant what IL
rafU